My elementary school teacher, Tana Frantz, took me to my first performing arts event. It was a piece called “Dancing In The Rain”, being performed at the Gaslight Theatre in Enid, Oklahoma. I was starstruck. The theater was small and old with huge velvet red curtains on the stage. My best friend Paige and I were invited by Ms. Frantz to attend the dance performance together and we chattered on about how “cool” we were. We sat in large theater seats and we struggled to keep the seat from flipping up with our tiny legs. The dancers were in black with yellow slickers. I remember the way they danced and gracefully unfurled their bodies in all sorts of striking stances. They spun in circles holding their umbrellas adorned with polka dots. Their movements were etched, forever, in my memory. After the show Ms. Frantz took Paige and me out for Sherbet ice cream at Braum’s, but I was so anxious to get home so I could practice. During the performance I began to hatch all my plans to be a dancer/performer. I had a small pink umbrella that was just perfect to recreate the performance. I was going to be a dancer!
This is the beautiful thing about The Arts: The Arts propel the imagination into places that we’ve never dreamed of. Our senses awaken and our brains expand. For moments in time we get to join with an artist to experience the execution of their vision. It is a rare gift.
A few weeks ago I took Isaiah to see STOMP courtesy of The Walton Arts Center. This was his first performing arts experience.
“Dad PLEASE can I get up and dance?” “No son…. we need to stay in our seats.” “whhhhhhhhy!?”
I didn’t see much of the show. I was too busy watching him. His face was glowing and excited and he kept wanting to jump up to dance along with the STOMP cast. I was so eager for this to be the best experience ever. I wanted the same kind of nostalgia for him. I was elated when, at dinner after the performance, Isaiah announced he needed drum sticks to be a drummer. Just like I went home, grabbed my umbrella, and began mimicking the dance moves I saw that night with Ms. Frantz, Isaiah sat at dinner tapping and clanging the silverware determined to recreate his STOMP experience. This, friends is the pure magic of the performing arts.
The Walton Arts Center brings so many amazing opportunities to the people of Northwest Arkansas. 
The staff at WAC work hard to create culturally diverse and unique experience for each person that walks through their doors. I have enjoyed amazing shows that the Walton Arts Center has hosted like Avenue Q, Guys and Dolls, The Hungry Caterpillar, and STOMP.
NOW it is YOUR chance to get in on a show with the Walton Arts Center. I am giving away two tickets to see Shrek: The Musical
Shrek The Musical will be running from October 30th -November 4th at the Walton Arts Center. One of my lucky readers will have the chance to win two tickets to see the show either Oct. 30th or Oct. 31st. Follow the directions of the Rafflecopter below and BEST OF LUCK! Also makes sure to check out WaltonArtsCenter.org for other amazing shows and performances in our area
One of the best times I’ve had at Walton Arts Center was when I took the kids to see Beakman’s World. It was like a total 90′s flashback for me and the kids had a BLAST, too!
We also went to see Imago Theatre’s Zoo Zoo. It was INCREDIBLE. Absolutely gorgeous and funny and brilliant. Good stuff happening at WAC, for sure!
I LOVE BEAKMAN’S WORLD!
YEAH YOU DO BECAUSE EVERYONE RAD DOES!!!
I too saw STOMP and was blown away, as always, with the skill of the performers but I must say that the most exhilarating experience I have ever had was as the WAC when I saw Riverdance. It was a loooong time ago but it was such a worthwhile experience. I was about 17 and had never been to any real performing arts show on my own. Needless to say, the beauty and expertise of the performers brought a tear to my eye and gave me that warm feeling inside you get when you know you are truly experiencing something extraordinary. I recently went to Broadway and attempted to relive that moment, while it was close and nothing short of amazing, nothing beats that first time of making your way through the crowd to find your seat and waiting for the show to start.
Oh, Riverdance is awesome! The talent is just amazing!
Jealous! I have only seen recordings of STOMP!
It was pretty amazing. It was also sensory overload!
Norah. Would. Die.
Can you imagine?!
She’d lose her mind! Good luck!
Riverdance was my favorite!
Two for Riverdance! Maybe I need to go see it…
My hubby and I went on a date a few years ago to see the Shao-Lin Warriors at WAC, it was my favorite because it was his first time. He had never seen anything like it before and prior to that, couldn’t understand my fascination with live art. We try to make it a point each year to get our kids to at least one show and for the two of us to enjoy a date there as well.
Good luck Tasha! Shrek would make a great date night with the kids!
My very first performing arts experience was when I was in 1st grade and auditioned for the operetta, “Cinderella”. I was cast as “Dirty Laundry” with my best friend. 16 years later I graduated college with a degree in theater- not because I counted on the paycheck and career- just because I enjoyed the journey so much! (I later went on to get a graduate degree in teaching, so I’ve put on many performances for and with my students in classrooms.)
Karine, that is awesome! I think I should try out for some Theater Squared stuff… I’d be entertaining, if only because I am so cray cray
I loved seeing Rock of Ages at WAC when I was pregnant and baby was doing somersaults the whole time!
How old is baby now? Will you bring him/her to Shrek?
We took Finn to see the Wiggles in Atlanta when she was 3. She hyper-ventilated and screamed like she was seeing the Beatles. Even at 3 she was RARELY an Emotive child…. it was sheer joy to see her face light up.
That is awesome and terrifying! The Wiggles are my poison, can’t stand the dudes… but alas, my kids LOVE them.
I saw the Color Purple with Tony last year! It ws super cool!
Shreck…. Sounds fun!
Sweet
I ADORE the Color Purple. Such amazing writing.
Would love to take Emma to see this! She’s loved the shows we’ve taken her to
Thanks for an AWESOME giveaway!
Awesome Shawn! Good luck.
I know exactly what drew me to live stage shows. I was super shy in high school, and was not a singer. I’d had an injury that will forever prevent me from being a proper singer. However, our high school musical that year was Oklahoma! I bit the bullet, and sang two solos to try out. I was terrible, but got cast in a support role (i.e. no singing!). I loved it and was upset I waited so long to try out. But I have great memories. I. love. live. theater.
Way to try out no matter what! That is awesome!